On Saturday morning, I woke up early enough that I could have gone to Glacier, for sunrise. But I wanted to take the morning easy. It was easy to come up with excuses not to go. Then I got a text: Are you seeing the moon right now? And sadly, I wasn't. I was missing one of those days when the moonset is perfectly aligned with the sunrise. And just like that, all of my excuses for not getting up and going became regrets.

I realized, it had been too long since I had been up to Glacier National Park. I love it there. I especially love it for weddings. And just this week I've been booked to photograph a surprise engagement up in Glacier this summer. That is going to be fun. But with the winter and how much of the park is blocked by snow, I've become a bit complacent about my sunrises. So, even though I had a late Saturday night, when I got home last night I set my alarm for 5 a.m. so I could be up and on the road by 6 and in Glacier for sunrise.

I didn't quite get the spectacular color I was hoping for. But that just means I'll need to go back. Soon. But I did get the start of a "blue bird day." I don't think I ever heard this term before moving to Montana. I mostly hear it from winter outdoor enthusiasts. It seems to mean a bright, clear sunny day. But for some reason, I only hear this word when it is winter. Anyhow, today was a blue bird day for Glacier. And it was deeply restorative for my soul.(Edit: P.S. I looked it up, blue bird day is a ski-bum term for the perfect day of skiing. Makes sense that I would hear this word living in Whitefish, Montana at the base of the Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort - mystery solved.)

I took along my 14mm super wide angle lens. :) Glacier is the perfect place for that little beauty. And now that I'm home and have had my nap, I wanted to share photos from today. I hope you enjoy.

A nearly full moon setting over Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park on Sunday, February 12.

This image was taken shortly after the one above but was shot using the 14mm lens.

The moon just before it disappears behind the hills in Glacier. This particular hill was engulfed in flames (I think) in 2006. A decade later, the scars of that fire are still easily visible.

I know the mountains are what draws people in, and I love those. But sometimes, for me, it is the big skies that captivate me.